Hamish Cook: Crescent Head teenager given August discharge date
A Crescent Head teenager who has spent months in hospital after becoming paralysed in a shocking accident could finally be back home on the Mid-North Coast by August.
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The family of 17-year-old Hamish Cook, who suffered severe spinal injuries when jumping into the water at Crescent Head point in January, could have him back in their arms by August.
The teenager has been in the care of Royal North Shore Hospital medical staff since January 13, when he was pulled from the water by friends and flown from the Crescent Head golf course to the hospital’s spinal unit.
He had been a patient of the unit before recently transferring to the Royal Rehab at Ryde, where he is currently undergoing weight-bearing physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and wheelchair sports.
His parents Michelle and Justin have been by his side throughout his recovery.
Hamish is currently confined to the use of a wheelchair, and it is not yet known what the full prognosis of his injuries will be.
In an update shared by the Cook family on his condition, his parents said he will require a triple nerve replacement treatment on his arms that will seek to provide him with more strength and mobility in both limbs.
“The rehabilitation unit at Royal Rehab is currently is in the process of teaching him to weight bear, enabling him to transfer from chair to different surfaces,” the update said.
“He has also started in the hydrotherapy pool which he is enjoying and spending more time in his manual chair which is getting him stronger.”
He is also undergoing electrical stimulation to strengthen and activate weak muscles.
A keen sportsman, who played Rugby League for the Macleay Valley Mustangs and union for the Kempsey Cannonballs, Hamish has been trying his hand at wheelchair rugby and table tennis while undergoing treatment.
Adaptable fishing equipment is also being organised for him.
Mr and Mrs Cook said the family’s priority has now shifted towards bringing the popular teenager home, with the help of more than $100,000 which has been raised from Hamish’s employer – the Crescent Head Country Club.
A further $23,000 has also been raised from Go Fund Me donations.
The money received will go towards ongoing medical costs and home modifications.
“We have been given a discharge date of August 25, which means we will have to try and start our house mods [modifications] asap,” the family said.
“We are also in the process of arranging for the equipment we will need when we get home to be ready for his arrival.”
The family praised the efforts of the local community and the fundraising assistance, led by the Crescent Head Country Club.
“We would like to thank you, the staff and the community for the support which will make this process of returning home a little easier,” they said.
“Without the CHCC and local fund raising efforts and donations, getting Hamish home on the due date would not have been possible.
“We will always be grateful for the support our family has received.”
Crescent Head Country Club Fundraising Coordinator Damon Green said the community, with the support of local business, has been incredible in its support for the family over the past five months.
“The community, whether it has been purchasing stuff at auctions, making donations or playing in some of our fundraising events we’ve had, has been incredible,” he said.
“So far we’ve had a fishing comp, a golf day, and a bowls day,” he said, and there’s now an online auction happening until July 4 where people can purchase sporting memorabilia in aid of the cause.
Items available include signed surf boards, rugby league jerseys and a signed Mike Tyson championship belt.
To place a bid or for more information, visit The Cook Family Assist Fundraising page.
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